Port Macquarie keeps touch tournament

The popular touch football tournament, the State Cup, will remain in Port Macquarie until 2016.

The announcement by NSW Touch was made yesterday on the eve of the carnival's 23rd running in the town.

This year it is estimated the event will bring more than $2.5 million into the local economy over four days.

NSW Touch sport manager Daniel Rushworth says the carnival's long association with Port Macquarie was a major factor in the town retaining the hosting rights.

"The great relationship that NSW Touch has with Port Macquarie is one of the key ones and also the hard work that the Port Macquarie people do to ensure that the event every year is a success," he said.

"That's something that can't be measured and something that we're really proud of to have that relationship with those groups."

Mr Rushworth says the economic benefit is huge and the local council and touch association were keen to see it continue.

"There's a sponsorship arrangement that exists and NSW Touch is very grateful for what's provided by Port Macquarie Touch and its main stakeholders," he said.

"There is some financial components to it as well as all the assistance that Port Macquarie council, Port Macquarie Touch and Port Macquarie Panthers assisting with the competition."